The Life and Death of Sir Henry Vane, Part 5 (3 of 3)

The Life and Death of Sir Henry Vane · Part 5 (3 of 3)

p. 113Were all the affronts and injuries that were put upon this truly Christian Common-Wealths-Man (who was indeed, for what others talked of, the Liberty of Men as Men, and Christians as Christians) well and orderly set together, it would be difficult to find a Parallel proceeding for Injustice, next that against Christ, in all History, humane or divine. VIOLENCE and WRONG in stead of RIGHTEOUSNES and TRUTH, were weighed out to him by those that p…nded to hold the Scales of Iustice in their hands, Psal. 58. 2. But Iudgement shall return to Righteousness, Psal. 94. 15. Righteousness will come at last to have Judgement passed on its side. They seem to be parted, while wicked men are justified and the righteous condemned. This Sufferer did usually discourse of and expect a failer of all visible reliefs to good men, when others little dream't of it. But has the righteous man no remedy in such a season? He would familiarly invite others with himself to cast their thoughts upon what is signified, (Eccles. 5. 8. amongst many other Scriptures) in way of resolution to this Querie. If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of Iudgement and Iustice in a Province, marvel not (or be not dismaied) at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest, regardeth, and there be higher that they. p. 114Angels are higher than the highest powers amongst men, in the Magistratical Government of this world, and God and Christ are higher than they. This, with many like Scriptures, points us upwards, to a higher creature Magistracy than man's; and yet higher to the original spring and eternal root of all just Magistracy, in Christ and God.

The holy angels will not fail to exercise their Magistracy in an exact subserviency unto and consonancy with Christ. When the Monarchy of this world, lodged for a season in the hands of men, is degenerated from the golden head of it in Nebuchadnezzar, to the iron leggs and feet of it, part of iron, part of clay, so as that it is become extreamly, universally, & remedilessly oppressive to righteous men, then is the season for those angelical powers (that put seven years interruption even to the golden head) to come forth in a general dispensation of justice, to pluck up by the roots every thing that offends Christ and his followers, all the world over. These Principalities and Powers, these invisible Thrones and Courts of Judicature, have from the beginning, and all along this worlds duration, been in the exercise of a super intending Magistracy over the highest powers amongst men. In pursuance of the decrees of these watchers, (Dan. 4. 17.) These observers of the wayes of men, (as Hesiod calls them) in subserviency to Christ, have particular Angels been sent forth and commissioned to punish the proud insulting Monarchs, and bruitish People of this world, and to minister for the heirs of salvation, Heb. 1. 14. The Sodomites, when they assaulted Lot, were smitten with blindness by two Angels that Christ sent that way while he tarried with Abraham Gen. 18. 22. and Chap. 19. 11. So were the Syrian Army before Dotham served by the like angelical powers, at Elisha's prayer, 2 King. 6. 18. By these were the two Captains and their fifties slain at Eliah's prayer, 2 King. 1. 9, 12. Seventy thousand Iews were slain by the Angel that David saw by Arannah's threshing-floor, 2 Sam. 24. 15, 17. An Angel meets with Bala…m to stop him in his covetous and ambitious design, for the effective cursing or contriving mischief to those whom God had blessed. He caused the very dumb Asse, by speaking with man's voice, to reprove the madness of the Prophet, 2 Pet. 2. 16. An Angel in one night executes one hundred eighty five thousand Assyrians before Ierusalem, 2 King. 19. 35. An host of Angels appears at Mahanaim to Iacob, to relieve him against Esau, Gen. 32. 1, 2. King Herod in all his flourish of outward pomp, making an eloquent Oration to them of Tyre and Sidon, and owning that flattering shout and acclamation of the People, it is the voice of a God and p. 115not of a Man, was immediately smitten by an Angel, because he gave not God the glory, and was eaten of worms, Act. 12. 20, 23. Many things of like nature have been oft performed by Angelical powers, in a way of discountenance to corrupt worldly Magistrates, & for the protection of good men, heirs of salvation. They are the highest meer creature Powers, unto whom Christ has put this first world in subjection, as is implied, (Heb. 2. 5.) where tis said, That he hath not put the world to come in subjection to them. There, that lower sort of glorified men above charactered, that have but the single portion of the spirit, are equal to them; and those that have the double portion, will judge them, (1 Cor. 6. 3.) or be scituated in a superiority of life and discerning to those Principallities and Powers in heavenly places, Ephes. 3. 10.

These ministring Spirits (we see) have often come forth to preserve the bodily Life of Saints from the rapacious talons of corrupted worldly Magistracy, at some certain critical seasons and junctures of time, that the main designes of Christ in the world required it. But this has been but checker work, a white and a black. The same persons that have been relieved at one time, have been left exposed at another, to the rage and violence of their fellow mortals. Eliah had Angels at hand to destroy the Captaines and their Companies, that came to apprehend him: another while, upon Iezabels menaces, he flies and hides for his life. And many thousands of Saints have been abused and lost their lives under the tyrannical powers of this world, which Satan is called the God of. But when the time draws near for him to be bound and sealed up in the bottomless pit, the good angels will come forth in a more general, visible, and universal discovery, and exercise of their magistratical power, in assotiacion with the risen Witnesses, and at their prayer of Faith, will do execution speedily and irresistibly, on any that shall affront their persons or testimony, (Rev. 11.) as is above signified. This they will do, in the preparatory work to Christs personal coming forth to reign. And when he comes himself, these are that flaming fire, in or by which he will take vengeance on them that know not God and obey not his everlasting Gospel; and so will it be all along the thousand years Reign. The like ministry shall then be exercised by the new Ierusalem Saints to the righteous inhabitants of the earth, (admonishing them of the requisiteness of their pass by the cross of Christ and fire-baptism of his heavenly spirit, out of the glory of their earthly and natural state, into the glory of the resurrection) to that which Christ (when new risen) exercised towards the two disciples in the way to Emmaus, Luk. 24. 13,31. He appeared and conversed with them, and then disappeared; so shall the Saints p. 116in the thousand years reign, acting and being as in or out of the Body, at their pleasure; appearing & preaching to mortal men, & then vanishing out of their sight. The devil & his angels will be all fast sealed up and bound, that they can't seduce or hinder men from obeying this everlasting gospel-ministrey of the New-Ierusalem Saints. Then will be experienced what humane nature, at its best, amounts unto, as to eternal life, after the fairest play that can be given it, no tempter, no adversary being left upon the Stage to seduce or desturb it, and all the warnings of its miscarriage in former instances, set before it. Yet if many of them shall not refuse to obey the New-Ierusalem Gospel-ministry, what need can there be of the flaming angelical ministry, in subserviency thereunto, to do execution upon the resisters thereof? Those that obey it, will soon grow to a fitnesse to be translated in a moment out of their mortal state, into the New-Ierusalem society, as Enoch and Eliah, and ner'e see death at all; This is the mystery Paul tells us of, (1 Cor. 15. 51) and that Enoch the seventh from Adam, was both a type of, in his own translation, and foretold the season of, to wit, when the Lord cometh with thousands of his Saints, to execute judgement on wicked men, (Jude 14, 15.) which, (say the Iewes) will be the seventh thousand year of the world. The first coming forth of this angelical magistracy into a publick discernableness, to secure the Saints in the undisturbed exercise of their Religion and Worship, preparatory to the coming forth of Christ himself, may seem together with the risen witnesses to be represented by the little Stone cut out of the Mountain, that will make sad work and that irresistibly with all worldly, corrupted magistracies and people. The coming of these same angelical powers, as immediate attendants on Christ and his heavenly bride, when he comes in person, seems to be signified by the great Mountain which this stone grows to, so as (on the demolishing of all opposite Powers, every thing that offended, having been pluck'd up in the preparatory dispensation) it comes to fill and possess the whole earth. The meek followers of the Lamb are to inherit the earth.

The first coming forth of this angelical magistracy, (which will be the onelyonly suitable magistracy to the Church State of the risen witnesses, or Church that's to come up out of its Wilderness condition and mourning apparrel) will put a period to Saints troubles and cast tribulation the other way, on those that troubled them. It is a righteous thing with God (saies the Apostle) to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you, and to you that are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord by his mighty angels, who are a flaming fire, shall take vengeance on all enemies and obstracters of the Gospel, 2 Thes. 1. 6, 10. Then there shall p. 117be righteous judgement, (vers. 5.) now ther's none to be had for them. Now they are despised and Christ in them; but at that day, Christ will be admired in them, and furnish them with power to deal with their assailants, as they please. And after this, he will come yet more to be admired and dreaded in his own person, with all his heavenly Armies following him, (Rev. 19. 14.) and thousand thousands of Angels ministring to him. Thus you see the Believers hopes and expectations of relief, where they are placed, while he is crushed and abused under corrupt Rulers in worldly States. But what is his duty while the night of Sufferings and sackcloth is yet upon him? He is to be preparing for and hasting to the coming of this day of God (2 Pet. 3.12.) on which man's judgement or man's day will cease. In another sence, he that believeth will not make haste, (Esay 28. 16.) not grow impatient at Christ's patience and long suffering towards his enemies; not antidate his season, but quietly wait till the set time for Sions deliverance be come, through the State-ministry of the mighty angels and Church-ministry of spiritual believers.

Peter was too hasty in this point, when he drew his sword against those that offered violence to his master. Christ checks him for using a wrong weapon, that that will never work any full and final deliverance from the tyrannical Powers of this world. I could (saies he) at my prayer, have presently more then twelve Legions of Angels to rescue me; But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? Mat. 26. 53, 54. So, after his resurrection, Ye fools and slow of heart (saies he) to believe all that the Prophets have spoken; ought not Christ first to suffer, and then enter into his glory? Luk. 24. 25, 26. And ought not his members also to suffer with him, (till such time as the afflictions of Christ which are behind in their flesh, be accomplished) and so enter into glory also? 1 Col. 24. Must they not dye with him, if they will live with him, suffer with him, if they will reign with him? 2 Tim. 2. 11, 12. Must they not go the same way he went, if they will come to the same place, the heavenly mansions that he is gone before to prepare for them in his Fathers house? John 14. 2. I am confident, could this choice Martyr have procured at his prayer, twelve legions of Angels, to have laid all his bruitish adversaries on the Scaffold and round about him, dead at his foot, he would have forborn to desire it, till the proper season for that dispensation be come, which he reckoned to be very near. This is the dispensation, by which God will decide the controversie betwixt his people and enemies, in the Valley of Iehoshaphat, Joel 3. 12. The Historical type of this, related to in Ioel, we find, 2 Chr. 20. A great multitude of Moab, Ammon and mount Seir come against Iehoshaphat. p. 118God takes the battel out of Iehoshaphat's and his Armies hands; tells them, they shall not need to fight, but stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord, vers. 17. and vers. 22, 23. The Lord sets ambushments against their enemies, and causes them to destroy one another. Iehoshaphats Army has nothing left them to do, but to take the spoiles of their enemies, which they were three dayes in gathering, it was so much, vers. 25.

Farther notice is given of this last kind of undertaking the enemies of God and his People, Ioel 2. 1, 11. Blow the Trumphet in Zion: Sound an alarme in my holy Mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the Land tremble; for the day of the Lord is at hand. A great people and a strong are his Army; (even Angels that excel in strength) a fire devoures before them, and behind them a flame burneth. Nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of Horses and Horsemen. Like the noise of Charets on the tops of Mountains shall they leap: Like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array, before whom all their enemies faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men and not break their ranks. They are an invulnerable Army. When they fall upon the Sword, they shall not be wounded. The Earth shall quake before them, the Heavens shall tremble, the Sun and Moon shall be darke, and the Stars shall withdraw their shining. This day of the Lord will be very terrible: who can abide it? Mens hearts will fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for there shall be signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars, and upon the earth distress of Nations with perplexity, the Sea and the Waves roaring, Luk. 21. 25, 26. All this that is so terrible to the Inhabitants of the Earth, is good news to those that are in the Wilderness, Pilgrims and Strangers in the Earth. They are bid to look up and lift up their heads, when these things begin to come to pass, for their Redemption draweth nigh, vers. 28. The Lord shall utter his voice before his Army, his Angelical Camp, which is very great, Joel 2. 11. There will be no standing for men before them. Then will be brought to passe those sayings indeed, (Psal. 149.) which some made use of in the late war, that was but a shadow to what this Angelical host and their performances upon the enemy will amount unto. The Saints shall sing aloud upon their beds, and have the two-edged sword in their hands. The Faith and Prayer of these chosen ones will have Angels ready to do execution upon all enemies. Fire thus will go forth of their mouthes to destroy them, Revel. 11. They shall execute vengeance upon the heathen and punishments upon the people, even upon both those sorts of enemies that took counsel together against them, whether the prophane or but legally religious party, Psal. 2. 1, 2. Both the Heathen, that are no People of God at p. 119all, and such a People of God as may apostatize & become no people again, they shall all go to wrack; their Kings shall be bound with chains, and their Nobles with fetters of iron. All this shall be performed by the faith and prayer of Believers in association with the holy Angels, Such honour have all his Saints. This concluding Battel, that is to make a clear riddance of all the wicked tyrannical Monarchies and Powers of this world, is else where expressed thus; Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts, Zech. 4. 6.

But the greatest conquest that can be attained over enemies, while tis yet but a suffering season, is by Death. This Martyr followed his great Master herein, Who by Death overcame him that had the power of Death, the Devil, Heb. 2. 14. He that conquers by killing, overcomes but men, he that conquers by dying, overcomes the Devil. His false friends conquered their enemies by killing them: he tried another and the surer way of Conquest, (though mystical) to conquer them by being killed by them. He has more advantaged a good CAUSE and condemned a bad one, done his honest Countrey-men more service, and his enemies more disservice, by his death, (as Sampson served the Philistines) then before in all his Life, though that also were very considerable. If death were not the noblest, most excellent and certain way of conquest, would the great Captaine of our Salvation have led us that way? Are we followers of that Captain, unless we go the same way he went? They that conquer by killing others, are still subject to death themselves; Yea, to be killed by some remainders of those they conquered. They that conquer by dying, are no longer subject to death. 'Tis appointed unto man once to die. No rage or power of man can take away this Martyrs Life the second time.

'Tis true; Christ himself offered up supplications with strong crying and teares, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared, (Heb. 5. 7.) that is, was delivered from the fear of Death before hand, and out of the jawes of it after, for it was not possible he should be holden of it, Act. 2. 24. This disciple of his, prayed for the same thing, and he did experience and say, Death shrunke from him, not he from it. He had experienced the good hand of God in delivering him from Deaths of…, and when the season was come, he found that Death it self would prove the greatest deliverance that he ever had in all his life. So he experienced the delivering hand of God from Death oft, and by Dea…h once, which was the accomplishment of all his former deliverances. He did look Death in the face with a true chearful boldness, not in a transport, or dissembled courage, (as is usual) but in a fixed composure and full vigor of all his natural senses. p. 120To be thus delivered from the fear of Death, is more then to be delivered from Death. So to be delivered from all inordinate love of our natural Life and the concerns thereof, is a greater mercy then to be gratified with a confluence of all worldly desirables. All the Crowns and Scepters of this world are short of this frame of mind, crucified to things seen. Alexander put so great a value upon a shadow of this, in Diogenes, that he said, Were he not Alexander he would be Diogenes. The Conqueror accounted a deadness to the whole scene of outward Vanities, the best condition, next to the having all at command. Had he not been partial he might have reckoned it better. He soon after lost his world and himself together, in a drunken fit at Babylon, the common Rendevouz for bruitish pomp under three of the four worldly Monarchies, Assyrian, Persian, and Greek.

The love of this world is enmity to God, and breeds in us the fear of man, that can deprive us of what we love; and the fear of man brings a snare; will keep us from witnessing a good confession as Christ did. If we fear them that can kill the Body, we shall never be bold in a good cause before wicked Judges.

This Patriot feared not Death, and therefore did as boldly, fully, and clearly assert his Countries Rights and Liberties at their Bar, as he had before for many years together, on all occasions, in the Parliament House. His stedfastness in the Faith, in the Covenant; his constancy for the publick Interest, rendered him very unsolicitous as to his own personal concerns or Life. And what must all this be tearmed by his enemies? This steadiness and boldness of spirit in asserting the Cause of God and these Nations to the Death, which is highly esteemed of God and all good men, is by his bruitish adversaries called, an impudent defence of his Treason. He was well steeled and made of God with Ieremy, as an iron pillar and brazen walles against any impudence or treason that others could affront him with, under a face of autho…ity. He evidently preferred the Lives and Liberties of all the knowing honest-hearted people in the Nation, to his own. He was couragious therefore in the defence of them. What thought his enemies of this? Ready they were to charge him with such deportment in his Trial and on the Scaffold, towards them and the king, as Iob was truly charged with by Elihu against God, (Iob 34.37.) He addeth rebellion to his sin, he clappeth his hands amongst us, and multiplieth his words against the King. What were the words? can any tell? They multiplied their words against God, the Laws of England and him. He resisted them unto blood. This was the highest demonstration of his sincerity that was possible to be given, and the p. 121greatest victory over all his enemies that was possible to be obteined. Cromwels victories are swallowed up of Death: he has swallowed up Death it self into victory, and is gone in the Charet of salvation to receive his Crown from the hands of Christ, (2 Tim. 4. 7, 8.) which no man by any treachery or force can ever take from him. He let fall his mantle, left his body behind him, that he had worn nine and forty years, and is gone to keep his everlasting Jubile in Gods …est. 'Tis all DAY with him now, no night or sorrow more, no prisons or death. He is gone from a pl…ce, where so much as the righteousness of man can't be endured. He is gone to a place where the righteousness of God is the universal ga…be of all the inhabitants. He is gone to that better City, the New-Ierusalem. He had served his generation in his mortal Body, done his work, and was glad to fall a sleep, and go look for his reward some where else. You see what this ingrateful world has afforded him for all his kindness; reproach, prisons, and death; he had need have other returns some where. Great is his reward in heaven. He was a burning and shining light, he burned hotter and shined brighter in heavenly life and light under all the injuries of this persecuting world, so that his last works were his best. So death was to him a great gain. If any sit down by the loss, 'tis we that survive him. But he left this comfortable word behind him; God would never want instruments to do his work. Yet we may say; The honourable Counsellour is taken from thee (O England) this day, whose worth few knew. A famous Master in our Israel, is taken from our heads, and who laies it rightly to heart? His enemies were afraid of him, as Saul of David, because the Lord was with him; 1 Sam. 18. 12. Pharaoh, though but a heathen Prince, was of another mind concerning Ioseph. He advised with his Council about appointing some discreet, wise man over the Land of Egypt; and of Ioseph he saith, Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the spirit of God is? So Ioseph became chief Ruler in Egypt, under several Kings, fourscore years together, from the thirtieth to the hundred and tenth year of his age. The like great authority fell to Daniels share, (as a man of this more excellent spirit) in Babylon, under several Assyrian or Babylonish, and Persian Monarchs.

'Tis a sign Monarchy is notoriously degenerated, that persons of Ioseph's and Daniels spirit are for that very reason hated and slain, for which they were advanced even in heathen States. The enemies of this English Ioseph and deliverer, were of the right Satanick spirit; hated him only for following the thing that good is. They that render evil for good are mine adversaries, in the original 'tis, are Satan, Psal. 38. 20.

p. 122Men of the excellent spirit, do now find sad entertainment. People flock together, and every one is ready to act his part, towards the shedding of their innocent blood; Judges, Jurors, Witnesses, Counsellors. No time must be granted, all must be huddled up in a trice, when they are making haste to destroy them. And they are ready to say (as the Iewes of Christ) His blood be upon us and on our children. It is not like to be alone upon them, they must take a heavier load with it. Upon the abettours and contrivers of this murder (if they repent not) will come all the blood that has been shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the last drop of the innocent blood that they have or shall farther spill. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints, Psal. 116. 15. God will be soundly payd for their blood. He will not fail to encrease his wealth by their price, Psal. 44. 12.

One main ground of the unjust proceedings of worldly Powers against righteous and conscientious men, is Reason of State; which usually brings the most signal desolation upon them, by that very means whereby they thought to prevent it. With what a vengeance this thing called Reason of State has been repayed, we may observe in all times and places.

Pharaoh for Reasons of State murthered the Male-Children, and sought to suppress the Hebrews by cruel bondage. No messages from God, though accompanied with Prodigies, could stop him in his course; till he was payd home, once for all, in the Red Sea.

Reason of State made Saul seek the ruine of David, Absolon lie with his Fathers Concubines, Ieroboam seek the establishment of himself by his Calf-worship, thereby distinguishing his people in Religion from the Ierusalem-Worship under another King. This made Herod seek Christ's life, and destroy the male Children about Bethlehem. This made the Iews and Pilate crucifie him, least Caesar should destroy their Nation, whereas for that very thing they came to be destroy'd by Caesar; and what end all the other, with many like examples came to, I refer you to the Scriptures, and other authentick Histories, to enquire.

Caiaphas said of Christ, It was expedient that one man should dye for the people. The like was urged against this follower of Christ. Here's another Reason of State. And he declared himself content to be any thing God should permit them to make of him: to be handled as Paul was, reckoned as the filth of the world, the off-scouring of all things, 1 Cor. 4. 13. The word there is foreign, which relates to the heathenish custome of culling out slaves or other contemptible persons, p. 123to offer up to the devil, as expiatory sacrifices to purge from some National guilt they had contracted, and so deliver them from some National judgement they lay under.

Be the adversaries Reasons of State what they will, they have done all they can do to this lover of his Countrey and the Laws thereof. But I would willingly have their understandings disabused in one point. Let them not think they have conquered him. They knew him not. He judg'd his Judges at the Bar. He triumphed over his executioners on the Scaffold, R. and the rest. Such a publick execution was more eligible then to have lingred out some small time in a prison as a condemned person, liable to any arbitrary afterclaps, on any future motion or pretence of motion in our troubled Sea. He had more ease, God more glory, the honest party of the Nation and their just CAUSE more advantage, and why may I not say, his most intimate friends and dearest Relations more comfort in this way of his deliverance, once for all?

He did fully comply with that rational notion of the heathen Philosophers, concerning his mortal body, That it was one of his prisons, from which he could receive no final discharge (as he might from others) but by death. Right joyful he was to lay aside this burthensome weight and go to his Father. His heart was fixed, trusting in the Lord. He was not therefore afraid or any way star…led at evil tydings, but did sing and give praise, that his full redemption drew so near, Psal. 112. 6, 7. and 108. 1.

When the Sheriffs Chaplain came very gravely to him at the midnight before his execution, (the most dismal, unseasonable, and unusual time for such messages) he told him he was come to bring him, as he called it, the fatal message of Death. On this, the Lord presently cast into his mind that which is written (Zech. 3.4.) to intimate to him, That he was now taking away his filthy garments, with intention to give him change of raiment, that his mortal might put on immortallity. Thus his Mortallity came to be swallowed up of Life, and Death and the Grave into Victory.

Presently after his receit of that message of Death, he laid him down and slept, for the Lord sustained him, Psal. 3. 5. When his Relations and Acquaintance came about him in the morning, he told them he did not look upon that message of Death, as having any thing at all of dismalness in it.

The World was no longer worthy of him. He is therefore gone from the earth. But his Person and righteous Testimony shall be …ad in everlasting remembrance, Psal. 112. 6. His eye was fixed upon a better p. 124Countrey, the Saints everlasting Rest. There the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. Those that have been made Prisoners and out-casts in this world, as the off-scouring of all things, shall rest together there: They shall no more hear the voice of the oppressor, Job 3. 17, 18. The present enjoyments and blessedness of this deceased Saint, do set him clear out of the reach of his enemies malice or my pen. He steaddily sees and unchangeably enjoyes what Paul (before quite rid of his mortal body) had but the transient view of, in a short rapture, when caught up to the third heaven, (1 Cor. 12.) or into that vision of God in Christ, that is exhibited to the double-portioned Saint, that sits on the Throne with Christ. 'Tis the favourable presence of God in Christ onelyonly, that makes heaven to angels or men. God's threefold various presence with his Church, in and through Christ, makes the three heavens. That presence that is afforded in the adaequate intelligible form to the highest life and discerning of the double-portioned Saint, the Bride the Lambs Wife, makes the third heaven. That which is given forth in the adaequate intelligible form to the elect Angels and Spirits of just men made perfect, as the sutable immediate object of their discerning, makes the second heaven. That presence of God, (together with the fruits of it) that in Christ is afforded to Saints on earth, makes the first. They have their conversation in this first heaven, Phil. 3.20. or lowest kind of presence and converse of Christ in spirit. They do live in the exercise of that spiritual seed and those principles, which when fully awakened in the resurrection, will render them fit inhabitants of the second and third heavens. Paul in the short glance he had of that most excellent glory of God in Christ, that is intelligible or discernable to the most exalted sort of Saints, tells us, he heard unspeakable words, (or saw unspeakable things) which it is not lawful or possible for a man to utter. Here then I must take off my hand, and leave you to make the best you can of it, in silence and wonder.

Thus have I cast in my small mite towards the vindication of the Person, Doctrine and Way of this choice anointed one of the Lord, and faithful assertor of his Countries Liberties unto Death, from the groundless aspersions, causeless hatred, misprisions, and injuries that have fallen to his share, in this world. There are two sorts of enemies, who in the rage and vain imaginations of their hearts, have reproached, blasphemed, assaulted, affronted, resisted and persecuted Christ in him. They are both deciphered, (Psal. 2. 1.) under the titles of Heathen and People. I have a word of two to divide between them, and speak to each of them apart.

p. 125My first word is to a People of God, who (in whatever variety of form, perswasion or way) have all of them (with one consent) separated from Rome, as justly loathing and nauseating her most gross, visible Idolatries and abominations. They have also separated from the dry impertinent formality of a meer outward profession of Protestantisme under a superstitious Episcopacy. These they have separated from on the left hand; it was their duty so to do. But they have also separated from, or rather cast out the spiritual Believer and true heir of the everlasting Kingdom, on the right hand. This is their great sin, that has brought a prophane, heathenish, superstitious, idolatrous Interest over their heads again, and run all a-ground. They have demonstrated themselves to be of that spirit that Paul reproved in some of the Corinthian Church, that would be reigning as Kings in the but renewed principles of humane nature, and righteousness of man, 1 Cor. 4. 8. When therefore this true heir sounded his trumpet in his RETIRED MEDITATIONS, and proclaimed another sort of Saints, men of another spirit, other principles, and a more excellent way of life, to be the onelyonly true heirs of the Kingdom, and possessed of the true reigning Principle, they could not bear it. They have chosen rather to give the Scepter back again into any hand, then the true heir of the heavenly Kingdom should wield it; I mean not a Person onelyonly, but a People, a People prepared for the Lord.

Whoever you be that have thus demeaned your selves, and sinned away twenty years Mercies and Deliverancies, (whatever your Judgment, Form or Way be, as to this or that particular Doctrine or Ordinance) if you yet lodge but in the renewed old-Adam state of life, or first-creation spirit and principles, (as you have seen them above-charactered) to you it is I direct this word. You that are in some good measure and degree, inwardly cleansed from the pollutions of this world, the corruption of nature, give me leave to tell you; you may be thus wash'd and baptized by the word of truth, into a practical, experimental knowledge of Christ after the flesh, and conformity with him, as he was …ound in the flesh, (born of a woman, made under the Law) for your sanctification. Let me tell you further; you may be made comely through his comeliness or righteousness (of that sort) put upon you or imputed to you, for your justification. You may over and above all this, be adorned with many jewels and bracelets, excellent gifts, and the tongue of men and angels, and yet fall short of the glory and righteousness of God in the new and everlasting Covenant, and so may prove to be at last but sounding brass or tinkling cymbals, p. 126Ez. 16. 11, 12. 1 Cor. 12. 31. 13. 1. All your sanctified, justified, beautified and adorned state, in which you flourished, was but the rectified, adorned, first-covenant natural man, and you took all to be spiritual, new-covenant Life and ornament. This is one of the saddest mistakes mortal men are subject to, and is like to cost them dearest. Their disappointment is fatal and irrecoverable. Their work is exceeding dangerous in kicking against the pricks, persecuting of Christ in the true spiritual believer. But their case is no…remediless, as they may see in Paul, till they knowingly and malitiously say; Come, this is the heir, let's kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.

There are those from amongst these Legal spirited professors, both Pastors and People, that have had their share in betraying this just man; in blaspheming his Principles and Doctrine; in casting reproaches upon him while living, and pleasing themselves to think that they are now well rid of him, his Doctrine and Way, by his Death. Deceive not your selves. His testimony has received a more signal ratification by his Death then in all his Life. He warn'd you of many things. In reference to one of his warning-pieces, as to the making clean riddance of Antichrist from amongst us, I shall ask you a Question.

Do you imagine that you have banished Antichrist out of your coasts, your Churches, by excluding the Romish beast, the heathenish part of the Antichristian Church?

Iewel, Reynolds and Whitaker, (against H…r…i…g, Hart and Bellarmine) as also other famous and learned W… of the Protestant interest, White, Mede, and many more, have from the Quiver of common reason and humane Writers, drawn out and shot such arrows at that Beast, that her wounds are incurable by any other Engine, save the Sword and Belluine force.

What will you say, if the very Protestant Churches in what ever variety of Judgement, as to this or that particular, (so far forth as they have mistaken the One thing necessary, the great fundamental Point, or different foundation of the two Houses Christ mentions, one on the sand, the other on the rock, Mat. 7. and have rested and gloried wholly in the lesser glory of renewed, adorned man, that's to be done away) should at length prove the Mystical Babylon, however confidently they have passed for the true heavenly Spouse and People of Christ? Under this conceit of your being the true everlasting Spouse of Christ, how confident have you been, that the Kings of the earth should joyn interest with you, and espouse your quarrel, in order to pull down and t…ar in pieces the beastly Idolatrous Antichrist of Rome? What a p. 127cross blow would it be to your expectations in this kind, what a sad and amazing disappointment, if it should fall the other way? If the Kings of the earth, in the most bruitish, degenerate state of wordly Monarchy, should strike in with Rome against you, and accomplish that prophesie upon you, as the genuine intendment thereof? Revel. 17. 16.

Shall I ask you another Question, with some tendency towards a disquisition into this Riddle?

Do or can you imagine the Popish party and Religion, in the posture it has stood these many hundred years, can in her Spirit, Doctrine and Principles, be that glittering Strumpet, which for inward Ornament, holiness, and exceeding likeness to the true heavenly Spouse of Christ, did so dazle Iohns eyes in Patmos, (amidst all his ravishing Visions of God) as that he wondred with great admiration to hear her tearmed by the Angel, MYSTERY, BABYLON the GREAT; the MOTHER OF HARLOTS and ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH? Rev. 17. 5, 6.

MEDE, and many others have evidently and undeniable demonstrated that Popery is the very sink of all the old Gentile Theologie of Daemon Gods, in their worshipping and praying to Angels and the souls of deceased men. Some great Authors or Patrons and advancers of their most ridiculous Idolatries, they have formally canonized for Saints, and do pray to their departed Souls, as Heroe's, a rank of Demi-Gods, inferiour to Angels. If any were more notoriously vile in their idolatries, & more eminently serviceable in the propagating & advancing thereof, & so more useful to Demetrius & his subordinate Shrine-makers, and Image-mongers, (Act. 19.) they have been advanced in their Apotheoses, after the manner of old heathenish Rome, into the very order of Daemons or Angels, and so their prayers to them as well as to fallen Angels, come properly under the title of Daemonolatry, or worshipping of Devils. Yea the most superstitious abominations and gross bodily whoredoms that ever were found scatteredly up and down in any the most bruitish heathen States since the world began, are pack'd up all together, in the Papacy. They may set up a Pantheon, a Temple for the Catholick or universal Worship of all the old heathen Gods, in all Nations, as old Rome did. Here's their Catholick Religion. They fall down to Stocks and worship Stones, graven and molten Images, the works of their own hands. They are sadly derided for it, with the rest of their old brother-heathens, by God himself, at large, Esay 44. They take a piece of wood, with part whereof they rost their meat and warm their hands, and the residue they make a God. Horace, p. 128a heathen Poet, scoffs at the same folly, bringing in an Image that applauds it self for its good hap, that when it was a rude mishapen piece of wood, the Carpenter was thinking to put it to some inferiour use, but all upon a suddain it came into his head, to make it a God. Yea, the very Turks abhor the Popish Imagery and Image-worship, as more against the Common light of Reason, than any thing they have in their Mahumetane Moseh's or Parish Meeting-places. If Iohn then should have wondred to hear that such a heathenish Church as the Romane now is, and has long bin, (when represented to him in the Spirit, Principles, and gross Idolatries thereof) should be called the Whore of Babylon, might not all the world wonder at Iohn for his paines? He might indeed in such a case, have wondred the other way; that that should at all be called Mystical Babylon, as having so much creditable resemblance of the true Spouse of Christ, as to pass for it. There is no such thing as gross whoredom of body or soul, in Religion or Conversation; in the whole World, if it be not in the apostate Romane Church, in a transcendent manner.

'Tis certainly then some clearer, finer-spirited Church, which Iohn wondred should be called The Mother of Abominations; some such Church as he was ready to think, if Christ hath any such thing as a chaste Spouse upon earth, that will keep close to him and never apostatize, this is she. Thus Samuel said of Eliab, Iesse's eldest son, Surely the Lords anointed is before him, 1 Sam. 16. 6. 'Tis answered there, The Lord seeth not as man seeth, vers. 7. That that man admires and praises, God regardes not; and that which man regards not, is of highest esteem with God. Paul was no body with those that were wise and honourable in Christ, as to the glory of man, by him renewed in or put upon them, but mean while was he whom the Lord commended, 1 Cor. 4. 10. 2 Cor. 10. 12. 18.

But to help open your eyes, you see Popery is such a mass of gross Idolatries and commonly discernable Abominations, that the very present Magistracy, whom you are apt, it may be, to have some hard thoughts of, would seem so resolute against it, as to make it criminous for any to blemish their repute with such slanderous imputations, as if they had the least intendment that way.

If you chance to object; How comes it to pass then, that all the more refined sorts of Christian Meetings are disturbed, killed, imprisoned, hurried up and down from post to pillar, grossly abused and injured before their Iudgement seats, and the Mass onelyonly quiet, and what is next it, the dry, impertinent publick Assemblies under Episcopacy? If you say further, what mean they to force those Oathes upon us that were originally intended p. 129for the keeping of Papists quiet? Why may we not expect England should shortly be made a Shambles, when some moderate Papists themselves bolt out something that's hatching, which they reckon too black for them to act a part in, and so quit their ground before hand? If you ask me such questions as these, I shall referre you for an answer, to those whom it concerns. If you further expostulate, and say, though we may not say Popery is intended, may we not think so when we see all this? What must we do with our eyes then? No great matter what become of such eyes as could not see all this before hand. Some Cassandra's amongst you did, but the credulous multitude thought otherwise, and carried it. Presbyterians and Tradesmen thought to have made a fairer game of it, then it proves. I am neither. But I know Trading is dead, and Presbyterianisme seems to be somewhat near giving up the Ghost; scarce a stone is like to be left upon a stone in our mystical earthly Ierusalem, or Church-formes, any more than once in the litteral City and Temple.

I'le tell you my mind in short; I reckon the Romish party but the tail of that second Beast, that had hornes like the Lamb, (Rev. 13. 11.) if any part thereof at all. It may rather seem to be the head or most flourishing appearance of the first, the heathenish Romane Monarchy, guilded over with nothing but the meer Name and Title of Christianity. And so all those Kings of the earth, that side and strike in therewith, are together with this palpable Romish strumpet, but of the same nature and mettal with the old heathen Monarchy of Rome, resembled by the iron part of the feet and toes of Nehuchadnezzars Prophetical Image, as the elder heathen Rome was resembled by the iron legs, Dan. 2. 33. The clay represents mystical Babylon, or that softened, reformed Church-state, of such a People in Covenant with God, as may again become no People. These two parties shall labour to mingle together and cleave one to another, in order to keep out the true spiritual worshipper, who has been in the Wilderness above this twelve hundred years, excluded out of both their Synagogues, and is now upon a return into power. But these two parties, resembled by iron and clay, though they assay to mix and cleave together, can't hold so long, and when they clash, guess which is like to have the worst on't, iron or clay.

From amongst you, O professors, have there been, that have sate with those now returned into power, as at one table, to consult and contrive now you may both rid your hands and the world of the spiritual worshipper and true heir. The hearts of the Kings or chief Leaders amongst you both, have been set to speak lies and do mischief to p. 130him, because he has been the rebuker of you both, (Dan. 11. 27.) of the one, for not looking after a more excellent state of righteousness; of the other for abiding in a state of downright wickedness, as an enemy to all righteousness. Paul, in all the glory and righteousness of man, was the most enraged persecutor of the spirit and righteousness of God in the true saints, the world had in it; yet had in him the seed of that very spiritual life he persecuted, though unawakened unexercised, till Christ met with him in the way to Damascus; so may some, may many of you; I wish all had.

You once made full account you had for ever shaken hands with Popery and prophaness, so as never more to enter again into any correspondence with either. Has not your blind zeal and enmity against the spiritual believer and his Testimony, so far transported you, as to make you forfeit all your former discretion, and resolution, and adventure the shaking hands again with both in a kind of amity, like Herod and Pilate, to work jointly, what prejudice you can to the true heir of the heavenly kingdom? are not you the two distinct branches of Antichrists Kingdom, resembled by the iron and clay, that though you would never so fain, yet cannot mix or piece up together, so as to hold long, but will clash and destroy one another, and so make way, by the most wise providence of God, for the coming of the true heir over both your heads? Dan. 2. 43, 44. Are you not almost ready to go to work for the accomplishing of what this deceased Patriot has foretold you of, in his MEDITATIONS, about the clash of the two branches of Antichrists kingdom, the finer and courser parts of Babylon? See else. But who hath believed his report, or regarded it? They onelyonly, to whom the arm of the Lord hath been revealed. How too generally is that Testimony of his disregarded, that of any I know extant, next the Scriptures, gives the fairest aim to England, truly to understand its case and the state of the controversie between God and it; and what the true ground is, that all its most successfully acquired Liberty should be ready to be compleatly swallowed up again into downright heathenish Idolatry and prophaness? Where's the man that wil suffer his understanding to be questioned as any way faulty, that he gives no entertainment to a right report of these matters? All the heavy load must be cast upon the relator, as but cloudily or not at all making out what he speaks of, or that the matter of his message is at bottom no better then Popery; yea it has been called masked Popery, and publickly set at defiance by a frequented Teacher in our Reformed Congregations, as that which is far less to be tollerated by the Magistrate then the open bare-fac'd Idolatries of Rome. What work p. 131does the blind, ignorant zeal of the legalist make with the spiritual mans Testimony? What stupenduously false deductions and conclusions do they form from it, and then decry it? The sun rising is not so far distant from its fall as this deceased believers Testimony and Doctrine is from Popery. Fire is not more contrary to Water then his Doctrine to theirs. 'Tis amazing to me, to think which way such imaginations should come into their crowns. He has plainly declared to you how matters stand, had you the hearing ear or seeing eye. You either wonder at, or despise it; if you go on at such work, you will perish too. This 'twil certainly come to, Act. 13. 41. Through this one fatal mistake about the spiritual man and his Doctrine, the most accomplished person for Englands deliverance from devils and men, hath been by you betrayed and delivered up into the hands of the Gentiles, to be so handled as you have seen. But their case that crucified Christ himself was not remediless, till on a fair and plain declaration how matters stood, they did resolutely and peremptorily persist in their error, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul waxed bold and resolute on the other hand; seeing (saies he) that you put this word or warning away from you, thereby judging your selves unworthy of everlasting life; …o, we turn to the Gentiles, Act. 13. 45, 46.

The foundation of all Controversy with the spiritual believer, the ground of all the contradicting and blaspheming his Testimony meets with, what is it? This. The natural man perceiveth not the things of God, because they are spiritually discerned.

Spiritual things are not at all the suitable, intelligible objects to the natural understanding. But will self-confident man ever suffer this to becom the Question, Whether the fault lye in him, that he perceives not what is said by the spiritual watchman? By no meanes; specially if this natural man be renewed, cleansed, enlightened, adorned with excellent gifts and the tongue of men and angels, so that he is in one kind, wise, and strong, and honourable in Christ, a Prince at working righteousness, reigning as a King, 1 Cor. 4. 8. You may sooner remove a mountain, then get this man, so accomplished and qualified, once to suffer his understanding and reception of things to be scrupled or questioned, as insufficient for these things. Then there's no remedy, but if the spiritual believers Testimony be not received, the fault must be laid at his door, That he daringly asserts many things, but clears nothing, proves nothing. Thus the Pharisees serv'd Christ. Are we blind also? Do you think that if you talk'd any thing that has Sence, Reason, or Scripture in it for its evidence, we could not see what 'tis you drive at? John 9. 40.

p. 132Let's consider whether these learned self-confidents, with the rest of the Iewish Rabbies, were blind or no, as to the true reach and significancy of those very Oracles they were generally reputed the onelyonly Interpreters of, in Moses and the Prophets. Paul being set down in the Iewish Synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia, upon intimation from the Rulers thereof, to speak a word of exhortation, (a thing not admitted in our Synagogues) insists upon this very point. They (saies he) that dwell at Ierusalem, and their Rulers, because they knew not Christ, nor yet the voices of the Prophets, which were read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain, Act. 13. 27, 28. They are said therefore to have done it ignorantly. The Princes of this World, that is, the Iewish Priests, Scribes, Pharisees, &c. that were Princes in understanding and at working the righteousness of the Law, they yet knew not Christ, for had they known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory, 1 Cor. 2.8. 'Twas well for them, their murdering of him was capable of such an interpretation, for this keeps the door yet open for salvation, through Christ crucified, to be preach'd even to them that crucified him. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, to you is the word of this salvation sent, Act. 13. 26.

What a marvellous thing may it seem, that the very learned Rulers and onelyonly reputed expounders of the Law and the Prophets, should crucifie Christ, and in all the circumstances of their proceedings with him, fulfil all that was foretold of him in Moses and the Prophets, and yet not know all along what they were doing? They thought, and so our Rabbies think they understand the Scriptures, but did they or do we? What though men have been reputed famous expounders of the letter of Gospel, thirty or forty years together, may not they yet be ignorant of Christ in spirit, or the Spiritual man and all his concerns, and so with great confidence cry him down for a Blasphemer, and persecute him? No doubt. Is not Christ in Spirit, and in the approaches of his second coming, as like to be decried, blasphemed and persecuted by the onelyonly reputed expounders of the Gospel, as Christ in the flesh was by the onelyonly reputed expounders of the Law? His second coming, both in his Saints, (the true spiritual believer) and in his own person, is as fairly foretold in the New Testament, in reference to his reign, as his first coming in the flesh was foretold in the old Testament, in reference to his Sufferings. And of the two, men will be more short of guessing right at the predictions that concern his second coming, then those that concerned his first. It lies more remote p. 133by far, in all the circumstances and things of it, from humane understanding, then the first did.

Christ makes this dealing of God with men, the ground and matter of a solemn thanksgiving to his Father, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes, Mat. 11.25. And 1 Cor. 1. 26. Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. See the self-confident reasonings of the Iewes against the reception of Christ or his Doctrine. The Officers that went to apprehend Christ, are astonished at his doctrine, and durst not lay hands on him. What (say the Priests and Pharisees that sent them) have ye not brought him? Oh, say they, never man spake like this man. Then answered the Pharisees, are ye also deceived? Have any of the Rulers or Pharisees believed on him? But this people that knoweth not the Law are cursed. He onelyonly deludes a company of poor fishermen, and the silly, credulous multitude, that know nothing. Here is their Verdict of Christ. Why should his true followers expect other from the learned Rabbies and onelyonly reputed expositours of Scripture, in any succeeding generation, amongst whom their lot is cast? This is the way of man. God's way and his reasonings are quite contrary. The poor onelyonly, those that are emptied of all their Laodicean riches, and self-confidences, they are the fitly disposed persons to receive the gospel, in God's esteem. These are they, he puts value on. That passage in Acts 13. about the Iews crucifying Christ and not being aware what was the matter, though the very Scriptures (which they were reckoned the only interpreters of that the world had in it) foretold and charactered the birth, progress, and death of him, in all the circumstances thereof; I say, the serious weighing of this, one would think should encline men, amidst all the repute they have, and please themselves with, as to the interpreting of the Scriptures, to reflect upon and call themselves in question, whether they do yet know any thing at all of them, as they ought to know. If not; then all the question they put to the spiritual believer, is still, How do you prove it? how do you make out this from Scripture? They'l not admit the least scruple but that they can discern it, if it be proved. They will not suffer it to be questioned, whether they have the hearing ear, and seeing eye, to discern what the spiritual man sayes to the Churches.

Men that have not this eye and ear, and yet reckon they have, and will not be beaten out of it, the true believer were almost as good speak to stones as them. These old foolish kings at knowledge and righteousness, in first-covenant principles, they will not endure to be p. 134admonished, or told any thing, of new-covenant light and righteousness, Eccles. 4. 13.

Let a skilful Mathematician mention some obscure proposition in the Mathematicks to an unlearned man, or at least unversed in his Art; He demands a demonstration. How do you prove this saies he? the other gives an exact demonstration, but he through ignorance of the very rudiments and principles of Mathematick learning, receives not the demonstration, as any satisfactory account of the proposition to him, at all. He is as far to seek as ever. What then? where lies the fault? In the pretended demonstration, he will say. He will by no means suspect his capacity. The defect lies wholly in his understanding, and he laies it all upon the demonstration, saies nothing is proved. Let a skilful Artist hear the matter, he presently grants the demonstration to be as clear as the Sun. This may be the case, where the subject matter of the discourse is properly within ken to meer natural reason, as the suitable and intelligible object thereof. How much more difficult is the case with the true spiritual Believer, and his Gospel doctrine, in case he discourse with one that is confident he wants not for discerning, and yet sees nothing at all as he ought to see; has no discerning at all of spiritual things, or of the spiritual sence, reach and significancy of the Scriptures? He has no eye at all, suited to such matters; yet none more confident. The true spiritual watchman were as good meet a Bear robb'd of her whelps, as talk with such a man about spiritual things. He is absolutely unreasonable as to such things, that faith only sees. Paul prayed to be delivered from such cattel, and desired others to pray for him on that account, as the most irksome thing in the world. Finally brethren, pray for us, (saith he) that the word of the Lord may have free course, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable men; for all men have not Faith; 2 Thes. 3. 1, 2. He that has not faith or the spiritual discerning, is perfectly unreasonable as to spiritual things. You were better talk to a tree, if he be confident, for that will make no noise to trouble you; he will. Men are still for How do you prove it? They never question but they can understand and receive it, if rightly evidenced. Did not Christ himself speak with evidence, as one having authority beyond all the teaching of the Scribes? Mat. 7. 29. Yet how was he and his doctrine rejected by the Scribes and generallity of the religious party amongst the Iewes, and received only by some poor fishermen, and common sinners? where was the fault that Christ's doctrine was not received? Did not he give the demonstration right? how often is it said in Scripture, He that has an ear to hear, let him p. 135hear? The grand obstruction to the propagating of the Gospel, is the want of the hearing ear. Till there be this, we speak to deaf men. The old serpent has deaf'd and stop'd up their ears, that they will not listen to the spiritual charmer, charme he never so wisely. And what then? why, then they fall to disputing and cavilling with him; How do you prove this, and how do you prove that? You assert many things; but what ground do you shew for all? The disputer of this world is set at naught by the Holy Ghost; Where is the wise? where is the disputer of this World? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 1 Cor. 1. 20. These disputers are not to be gratified in their way. If there be a spiritual discerning, spiritual things which carry their own evidence in them, need onelyonly to be asserted; and prove while you will, discourse a whole year together with one in whom is no such discerning, he never will own that any thing is proved; but holds fast his own conclusions still. The way of Christ himself was not to dispute, but assert; and he that hath an ear to hear, (saies he) let him hear; if you will receive it, receive it. The true believer is to wave those unprofitable janglings, by which contentious, self-confident men would labour to confound all, 1 Tim. 1.

The Iewish teachers put this question to Christ himself; Art thou the Christ? tell us. He said unto them, if I tell you, you will not believe; Luk. 22.67. When Christ preach'd, how many contradicted and blasphemed? was the fault in him? Speak who will, Paul, an Angel from heaven, or Christ himself, and let the hearing ear be wanting, what can be done? The very disciples, when they were coming down from the Mount where Christ was transfigured before them, he lets fall a word about the Resurrection, and they are all in a puzzle, to think what rising from the dead should mean. Why say the Scribes that Elias must first come, say they? Elias is come (saies he) and they have done to him what they listed, (Mark 9.9, 13. and Mat. 11.14.) speaking of Iohn Baptist. If ye will receive it, this is Elias which was for to come. The last word of prophesy in the Old Testament, pointed at Iohn, the immediate preparatory Minister to the publick and general dispensation of the Gospel, upon Christ's coming in the flesh. Mal. 4. 5, 6. If ye will receive it, receive it. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear; that is, he that has a spiritual understanding and discerning, will take it. They did so. But what would the disputer of this world have said to him? Sir you assert that Iohn Baptist was that Elias, but how do you prove it? So when the Apostle Iohn saies of false or short-sighted teachers? They are of the world, therefore the world hears them; They p. 136They have populous Congregations, all the world goes after them, and admires this man, and the other man. But we (saies he) are of God: He that knoweth God, heareth us: Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error, 1 Joh. 4. 5, 6. Would not the disputer of this world be out of all patience to hear a man assert at this rate, and (as he reckons) prove nothing? Let him be what he will, this (we see) is the way of Christ and his Apostles. If there be a spiritual ear, this doctrine is received, if not, will any elaborate discourses or demonstrations ever bring to pass, that the natural man shall receive the things of God? What will become of that Scripture then? 1 Cor. 2.14. Demonstrate while you will, if there be not the …ight reception, the hearing ear, all's a case; you are where you began. The vain… jangling, disputative way of foolish man is not at all to be gratified in the declaration of the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Will you yet cavil and dispute (O professors) will you yet contradict and blaspheme? Lo, then I turn to the Gentiles.

My second Word is to you, O Gentiles.

Be wise O Kings; be instructed O ye Iudges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, Psal. 2. 10, 11. The Signs and Wonders of God are coming thick upon you. While it is yet called to day, harden not your hearts against the God of Heaven, and against the Saints of the most High. Practise not thus against them, nor think to change the times and the Laws, Dan. 7. 25.

Will you (O Rulers) be paid in your own coin? You have taken away a famous man in our Israel, this day, upon some dark REASON of STATE, against all the Laws of England; and against the common light of Reason in all mankind. Will you hear a REASON of STATE that might have moved you to the contra…y? Though it be too late, as to his Life, because his blood that you have spilt, cannot be gathered up again, (as the wise woman of Tekoah told David) yet it may happily be somewhat preventive to your further proceedings that way, against others. Remember then what is recorded of Ann de Burg, burnt in France, 1559. The Death and Constancy of a man so conspicuous, made many curious to know what Religion that was, for which he had so couragiously endured punishment. By that means great numbers of people were baptized into his perswasion. Trust me, (saies one) you have gotten nothing by these spectacles. M…n return from them more confirm'd in their detestation of you, than terrified from any of their purposes towards you. Their p. 137names will be recorded amongst those who have died out of debt to their countrey, by having paid the utmost they owed it. Their worth will be remembred. Their children and kindred will alwayes be looked upon as descendants from the Liberatours of their Countrey, and esteemed accordingly.

I wish heartily for your own sakes and ours too, that this REASON of STATE had come into your mind, and had prevailed against any other, before you ventured to embrue you hands in the blood of so deserving a subject. But proceed no farther to lift up your selves thus against the Lord of heaven; for when ye have done all, the meek ones of Christ must inherit the earth; when the wicked are cut off, they shall see it, Psal. 37. 34. The Saints of the most High shall take and possesse the kingdom for ever and ever, do what any can to hinder them, Dan 7. 18. Quarrel not at these things, but, like noble Boereans, search the Scriptures and see whether they be so or no. Do not put far from you the evil day. It never was nearer. Hinder not Saints assembling together. 'Tis their duty so to do; and that so much the more, as they see the day of Christ's heavenly appearance approaching, Heb. 10.25. Praying persons, praying People, that have an interest in God, are the main bulwark and security of any Nation. Ten righteous, praying persons had saved all Sodom and the neighbour cities, Gen. 18. 32. The Sodomites vilify and assault Lo…, and he is the onelyonly man that stands betwixt them and the storm of fire and brimstone that was coming upon them. God bids him haste away, for he cannot do any thing till he be got to some place of security. Gen. 19. 9. 22. 'Twas a Proverb in Israel, Without standings the world could not stand; that is, without prayers; the posture was put for the duty. Would you rid your hands and the world of Saints, praying Persons, and Meetings? Then the world will stand no longer; and where then will your standing be? what should the world stand for, when God has no share or portion in it? What mean you then, O Rulers? Are Protestants murder'd and hurried up and down for meeting to worship God, and the service of the Devil in the abominable Idolatries of the Mass, wink'd at or countenanc'd? Nothing hardly of Protestantisme scapes your censure, but what's to be found in the publick Assemblies, into which you have returned an insipid, frothy, Episcopal Ministry, whose Divinity amounts not to so much as sound and well managed moral Philosophy. Their words have no power to awaken Consciences, or authority in Consciences that are already awakened. I doubt they aim at no such thing; but onelyonly, to lull awakened Consciences into a deep sleep againe, and those that are so, p. 138to keep so still. 'Tis an enlightened, knowing People, that are the only burdensome stone to them. Do you think England can away with such work as this, that have flourished of late years, in Light and Liberty, beyond any Nation round about her? Do you imagine that the Mass, or a barren Episcopal Ministry with an Organ and a Common-prayer Book will down with a Nation that has such light stirring in it, as not only the Presbyterian, but, in a manner all the variety of Congregational Churches, yea the very Fift-Monarchy-men (so called) will hardly bear? Will you pull out all our eyes? will you stop our mouths with gags and handkerchiefs, because you have no Law or Reason to stop them with? Do you think the righteous man has no remedy left him? The Lord is in his Temple: his Throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men. The wicked and him that loveth violence, his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest, Psal. 11. 4, 6. God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword, he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He ordeineth his arrows against the persecutors. He hath prepared for them the instruments of death. Their mischief shall return upon their own heads, and their violent dealing shall come down upon their own pa…es, Psal. 7. 9, 16. Is not here enough for you? If you persist in your way, every syllable of this will be accomplished upon you. There's no flying from God's presence or escaping his hand. No visible confidencies, bulwarks, forts, armies, treasure, or whatever else, can secure you from men, much less from angels, and much less yet from God. 'Tis a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. He is the transcendently highest over-ruling Magistrate of all. He is the great General of all the armies in heaven or earth; Angels, stars, men, and all inferiour creatures. His host of angels relieved Elisha against the Syrians. The stars in their courses fought against Sisera, Judg. 5.20. Yea, to shew the contemptible folly of self-exalting man, God can so animate an army of frogs, locusts, lice or flies, as to appall the proudest Tyrant, and make him buckle, and acknowledge that he has sinned against the Lord in abusing his people, and desire them to pray for his deliverance, as we see over and over in Pharaoh's case, Exod. 8. 9. 10. How oft have rich and potent kings bin dragg'd out of all their visible supports, taken by force out of their ablest troops and choisest armies, and carried up and down to be laughed at by their enemies? how many signal instances for this do we find in Iewish, Assyrian, Persian, Greek, Romane, Turkish and other Histories, the English not excepted. Queen Iezebel with all her pomp and retinue can't secure her body from being dogs meat. Have you killed, and also taken possession? p. 139Remember her. Remember Aha…. Where dogs lick'd Nab…ths blood, they lick'd his, 1 King. 21. 19. and Chap. 22. 38.

If any Magistrates yet stout it out in their cruel and oppressive courses, whereinsoever they deal proudly, God will be above them, Exod. 18. 11. They are nothing in his hands. They are but little in an Angels hands; And not much in man's. You were but little, you know, in the hands of men. Those whom you have valiantly executed after they had layne a good while in their graves, together with those whom you have killed and cut in pieces, single, were two hard for you when they were alive and together. There is a generation amongst us, oh how lofty are their eyes? (Prov. 30. 13.) but what have they done? The honest party of England are (as 'twas once said of Germany) triumphed over but not conquered. Well, you have been but little in the hands of men, that's undeniable. You are as nothing in the hands of an angel. You are accounted as less than nothing to God. Esay 40. 17. What may be performed upon you by the invisible strokes of angels, you may learn from what is recorded for your instruction; 1 Kings 19. One hundred eighty five thousand were slain by an angel in one night, in the camp of the Assyrians. Some prodigious alarms of their approach to undertake you, on the behalf of betrayed, abused Saints, have of late been given.

What ever you have heard of in former times, as to the exploits of Angels in this kind, you will find to have been but type to what God will perform by those angelical hosts, in the last dayes, when all visible reliefs fail his praying People.

See (O King) the honest and justifiable boldness, plainness and freedom of speech, that Daniel and other Prophets have used to greater Monarch's. O thou King, saies Daniel to Belshazzar, the most high God gave thy Father a Kingdom and glory and honour. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardned in pride, he was deposed from his kingly Throne, and they took his glory from him. And thou, his Son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this, but hast lifted up thy self against the Lord of heaven, and abused (his Saints) the Vessels of his house; and the God in whose hard thy breath is and all thy waves, hast thou not glorified. Then he interprets MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN; God has numbred thy kingdom and finished it, &c. Dan. 5. 18, 28. Daniel was highly honoured by the King for thus dealing with him, vers. 29.

See the commendable stoutness as well as honest boldness of Saints, in their conferences and parting-blows with Kings. Pharaoh, in a fume, bid Moses get him gone, and take heed to himself, for in the day he p. 140saw his face again, he should die. Well, saies, Moses, Ile see thy face again no more. Who had the worst on't? The King would need Moses help before he the King's. He had sent for him with all speed before, time and time, in several distresses, under the plagues that were upon him and his People. Moses needed nothing that he could do, but that that would be done whether he would or no, Israels deliverance from bondage. All these thy servants, saies Moses, shall come and bow themselves to me, saying, Get thee out and all the people that follow thee; and I will go out: And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. Pharaoh was wrckedly and proudly angry and stout, in ridding his hands of Moses; and Moses was meekly and justly angry and stout in a resolved quitting of Pharaohs company, for ever, Exod. 10. 28, 29. and Chap. 11. 8. The Oracles of God, delivered by Moses, though accompanied and ratified with miracles, were called by that vain King, vain or lying words, Exod. 5. 9. Those Kings that will do as Pharaoh did, refuse all Messages from the Lord, delivered to them, scoffe at and persecute the messengers, must look for Pharaoh's wages, and that, dispensed to them from such a hand, as can tear them in pieces, so as none can deliver.

Kings have usually had a great antipathy to true Prophets, and their messages, but, bin very kind and friendly to false, flattering Prophets, who speak smooth, pleasing things. About four hundred false Prophets, with one mouth, encourage Ahab to go to Ramoth-Gilead, a City of Israel, and recover it from the Syrian. They saw he had a mind to it, and they all prophesied success and Victory. At Iehoshaphat the king of Iudah's motion, Michaiah, a true Prophet is called in. Ahab had no mind to him. I hate him (saies he) for he does not use to prophesie good concerning me but evil; that is, did not use to gratify his present humour and lust, as the others did. He deals truly with Ahab; warnes him, that if he go, he dies for't; and so it fell out. The false Prophets, no doubt, had incouraging rewards. Michaiah's recompense is a Prison, and the bread and water of affliction. But the Kings following the pleasing counsel of the false Prophets was his ruine, and the listening to Michaiah had been his safety. Who were the Traitors, the four hundred false Prophets or the one true?

The true Prophet and Subject is handled as the Traitor, and the false Traitors go currant away with gratuities and favours. Why do not Kings consider such instructing paterns? It highly concerns them, both in point of honour and safety, 1 King. 22.

Nebuchadnezzar sets up a stately piece of Popery, an Image of gold, p. 141thirty yards high. The Princes, Governours, Captaines, Judges, Treasurers, Counsellours, Sheriffs, & all the Rulers of Provinces, &c. come to the dedication of it. A Herald solemnly proclaims, That when they hear the sound of the Cornet, Flute, (Organ) Harp, Sackbut, Psaltery, D…lcimer, and all kinds of M…sick, they must all fall down and worship the Image; and that those who refuse, are to be cast into he midst of a burning fiery furnace. The generallity of the Governours and People obey the Decree. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, are traduced before the King, as Rebels and Hereticks, for slighting his Commands, not serving his God's, nor worshiping the golden Image which he had set up. The King in a fury sends for them, tells them he will try them once more, and if they refuse the second time, to the fiery Furnace they go. They tell him, he need trouble himself no further about trying them, they are resolved what to do. We are not careful, O King, (say they) to answer thee in this matter. God will deliver us out of thy hand, O King, Or if he will not, yet be it known to thee O King, we will not serve thy Gods nor worship thy golden Image. Then his fury is exercised upon them for a while, till he sees their executioners fall down dead upon the place, while they scape. This quite turns his mind, and he makes a Decree, That if any speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they shall be out in pieces, and their houses made a dunghil, because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. Dan. 3. Yet it appears not that Nebuchadnezzar himself worshipped this true God, or forsook his false.

A while after we find him boasting and vaunting, as if there were no other God but he, Dan. 4.30. What a fickle thing is that Religion that depends upon the Magistrates Decree?

Darius the Mede, when he comes upon the Stage at Babylon, he is flattered by his corrupt Courners to turn Pope, take upon him to be the holy Father; all must pray to him for thirty dayes, and not ask a petition of any other God. If they did, they must to the Lions den. Daniel is charged with slighting the King and his Decree. The King set himself to deliver him, but could not. An Angel did, by stopping the Lyons mouths. Then his accusers with their wives and children were cast to the Lyons, and were torn in pieces immediately, before they came to the bottom of the Den, Dan. 6. What looking-glasses are here for Kings, to give them aim what persons to put most value on, Idolatrous flattering Courtiers, that counsel them to their dammage and disherison, or true Prophets and faithful Subjects that advise them for the safety of their Crown and Dignity. True, they p. 142know not to give flattering titles to men; for in so doing, their maker would soon take them away, Job. 32. 22. They fear him more than men. 'Tis the true advantage of Kings to be plainly dealt with by them. Flatterers ruine them. They are the Traitors, as has appeared in all ages.

Believe it, O ye Rulers and Judges, if you go on at the rate you have begun, should all the Angels in heaven, and Men on earth, lay their understandings together, to demonstrate the requisiteness yea absolute necessity of having made a Parliamentary and popular defence against such corrupt sticklers for prerogative and arbitrary domination, when got into armes, (1641.) 'Tis hard to imagine how they should mend that which your selves have given by your most injurious and oppressive practices, since your return. What should we mince the matter for? The world is almost at an end; The Devils rage is great because he knows he has but a short time. It highly concerns us to deal plainly with one another, lest that great deceiver of the Nations cozen us all.

If men do as wickedly as they can, and make a law that no body must tell them of it; must every body therefore hold their peace, and let them go on? What can the Devil desire more? Must God and his Messengers have no hearing with you? What do you imagine will become of you then? Will ye change Religion and the Laws, and must no body dare to say so? But they will, you see. Will you put out the eyes of all the good People of England? They have eyes and will use them too, do what you can, as long as their heads are on. With these eyes they see clearer what you are about, then (it may be) you are aware.

The Lord in the late War was a Rebuker of you all, in many pitch'd Fields and a continued series of disappointments for many years together.

If you would but mend the matter as to what this Nation felt when it groaned under the Tyranny of your apostate Conqueror, this yet were something. Many of the same persons that he abused and oppressed, you have slain, and so finished his work upon them. You should let the oppressed go free, ease those heavy burdens that he put upon the People, and you encrease them, so that the Nation languishes under a general discouragement, as to Trade, and almost every thing else.

What work God will suffer to be made by any instruments of cruelty amongst us, that are profound to make slaughter, though unfit to p. 143fight, he himself best knows. But that God will send deliverance in the close, and preserve a remnant in the scramble, I am as confident, as that there is a God that judgeth in the Earth, who will make himself known by the Judgements which he will execute upon all wicked Opposers of him and his People. Freely I have received, and I freely give you such portion as the Scripture allots you.

Yet say not, (O Rulers) there is no hope; we will therefore fill up the measure of our wickedness; and then let God strike. Say not thus. There is yet hope. You may repent of the evil of your doings, and quite lay aside all your mischievous and destructive intendments towards this peeled People, and you and we together may be a flourishing Nation. If the King say as the King of Nineveh, Let every man cry mightily unto God, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands; who can tell but God may turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? Jonah 3. 8, 9.

FINIS.